Dispensing and applicating device



May 7, 1963 w. A. SCHAICH DISPENSING AND APPLICATING DEVICE Filed Feb. 9, 1959 INVENTOR. MSW/d4 United States Patent 3,088,161 DISPENSEJG AND APPLICATING DEVICE Wilbur A. Schaich, Maumee, Ghio, assignor to Owenslliinois Glass Company, a corporation of Ohio Filed Feb. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 792,013 1 Claim. (Q1. -572) This invention relates generally to a device for containing fluid and semi-fluid substances and the like, and for dispensing and applying controlled amounts of such substances onto a selected surface in a smooth and uniform manner. More particularly, the invention relates to that type of device wherein such substances are applied by means of a rotatable applicating member which transfers controlled amounts of such substances from the device to the desired surface by rolling contact.

Many types of fluid substances such as cosmetics, perfumes, medicants, and the like which are applied to the human body are of such a particular nature that the user frequently finds it expedient or desirable to have same available for use while away from home. Consequently, it is extremely advantageous to obtain such substances in an easy-to-use dispensing and applicating device which may be carried conveniently on or with the person of the user, such as in a clothing pocket, or in a handbag, or traveling bag, or the like.

It is therefore among the objects of this invention to provide a device for dispensing and applying fluid and semi-fluid substances in a smooth and uniform manner.

Another object of this invention it to provide a device which is capable of dispensing and applying fluid and semi-fluid substances at a controlled rate.

A further object of this invention is to provide a dispensing and applicating device which is constructed in such manner that it may be carried conveniently and safely on or with the person of the user without an attendant danger of leakage of the substance contained within the device.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a device for dispensing and applying fluid and semi-fluid substances and which is constructed in such manner that an applicating member situated on one end of the device for applicating purposes is responsive to manually operable means situated on the opposite end of the device to regulate and control the rate at which the fluid or fluid-like substances are dispensed.

A still further object of the present invention is to pro vide a dispensing and applicating device having the foregoing characteristics and which is constructed in such manner as to provide a socket on one end of the device in which to loosely confine the applicating member and to provide means at the other end of the device capable of alternatively shifting the applicating member into sealing contact with the wall of the socket to prevent emergence or escape of the fluid or semi-fluid substance contained within the device when the latter is not being utilized for its intended dispensing and applicating purposes, and ef fecting a shifting of the applicating member out of such sealing contact when the device is to be used for applicating purposes.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed sheet of drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a central section of a dispensing and applicating device embodying the present invention, and illustrating same in a closed relative position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but by contrast, illustrating the dispensing and applicating device in an open relative position;

3,088,161 Patented May 7, 1963 ice FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the device taken along the plane 3-3 of FIG. 2, and having the applicating member removed for clarity of illustration; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, but illustrating an alternative construction of the dispensing and applicating device.

Briefly, the general organization of various principal members of the dispensing and applicating device includes: a hollow container portion 10 which forms a compartment 10a in one end thereof for storage of a fluid or semifiuid substance such as a medicant, deodorant, perfume, liquid cosmetic, or the like. In the other end of the container a rotatable applicating member 11, preferably in the form of a ball, is confined in ball and socket relationship within a dispensing opening 10b having a concave wall surface shaped to form an annular socket 100. Means for shifting or displacing the applicating member axially within the socket 10a is provided in the form of a positioning member 12 having a generally T- shaped configuration in central cross-sectional aspect. The stem portion 12a of the positioning member 12 is journalled through an aperture or bore in the compartment end of the container portion 10 for axially shiftable movements both toward and away from the underside of the applicating member 11 in response to manipulations of a knob 12b formed on the end of the stern portion 12a extending exteriorly from the compartment 10a. Thus, axial manipulation of the positioning member 12 causes the stem portion 12a to shift the applicating member 11 between variable axial positions within the socket and thereby open and close in a variable manner the dispensing opening 10b and also control the rate at which the substance within the container portion is dispensed and applied.

In more detailed respects, the container portion is fabricated in one preferable form from a resilient material such as polyethylene, or other similar materials having substantially comparable characteristics of pliancy, sealability and resiliency. The end of the container portion 10 in which the dispensing opening is formed, or the dispensing end 10d, is formed with a rounded annular end surface 10 and an inwardly protruding annular lip 16g partially restricting the dispensing opening 10b and forming the outer axial end of the socket 10c. Spaced axially inward from the lip 10g, and providing a seat upon which to rotate the applicating member 11, are a plurality of marginally spaced internal lugs 10 projecting radially inward from the interior wall of the container portion 10 and forming the inner axial end of the socket 10c. For example, three such lugs are illustrated in FIG. 3. Alternatively, although not illustrated, the seat for the applicating member may take the form of a continuous perforate ring or the like. Intermediate the lugs 107' and the annular lip 10g the wall of the dispensing opening lbb defines a concave surface contour shaped to surround a medial segment of the applicating member 11 in proximately spaced relationship and to cooperate with the lugs 10 and the lip 10g to form the annular socket in which to confine the applicating member in ball and socket relationship. By virtue of the resilient and flexible characteristics of the material from which the container portion 10 is fabricated, the annular lip 10g may be resilient ly distended to accommodate insertion of the applicating member 11 therethrough into the socket 100.

The applicating member 11, as previously mentioned, is preferably formed in the shape of a ball and is preferably fabricated from a relatively rigid material such as glass, a rigid plastic or metallic material. Additionally, the applicating member is preferably provided with a smooth surface finish substantially free from molding seams and other surface eflects which are likely to interfere with the rotation of the applicating member, or

interfere with sealing contact between the applicating member and the wall of the socket c, as at the lip 10g, or cause irritation to the user when brought into contact, with thehuman body. When the applicating member 11 is assembled with the container portion 10 by inserting same into the socket 100, a medial segment of the applicating member 11 is loosely retained within the socket to accommodate universal rotatable movements of the applicating member. When so retained the .lugs 10j support the applicating member so that a minor outer segment 11a thereof will protrude axially outward from the dispensing end 10d of the container portion 10 in exposed manner to facilitate contact between the surface of the applicating member and the surface to which the containers contents are to be applied.

Formed on the compartment end IGe of the container portion 10, there is an internal central boss 10k. Extending transversely through the base 10h and the boss 10k, there is a threaded central bore 10m located in axial alignment with the applicating member 11.

Means for opening and closing the device and also to control the rate at which the containers contents are dispensed and applied by the applicating member 11 is provided by the positioning member 12 which, like the applicating member 11, is preferably formed from a relatively rigid plastic, glass, metallic or other suitable substantially non-flexible material. The stem portion 12a of the positioning member is preferably threaded into mating threads formed on the wall of the bore 10m in the compartment end We of the container portion 10 and forms a fluid-tight frictional contact between the opposed surfaces of the stem portion and the Wall of the bore. The knob 12b formed on the outer end of the stem portion 12a facilitates rotation of the shiftable member 12 to thread same axially inward and outward within the bore 10m. The inner end 120 of stem portion 12a is preferably of reduced diametrical size and defines a con cave end surface 12d conforming to the surface contour of the applicating member 11. The length of the stem portion 12a is of sufficient length to cause the end surface 12d to engage the applicating member 11 and shift same axially into sealing contact with the interior surface of the annular lip 16g to thereby close the dispens ing end 10d of the container 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Conversely, when it is desired to dispense and apply the contents of the container portion 10a, the knob 12b is manually rotated in the reverse direction to withdraw the stem portion and permit the applicating member 11 to shift under its own weight out of sealing contact With the lip 10g, as shown in FIG. 2. As illustrated, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the extreme alternative openedand closed positions of the applicating member 11. Additionally, however, the shiftable positioning member 12 may also be utilized to support the applicating member in any desired intermediate position within the socket 100 and thereby provide selectivity in the size of the annular opening defined between the applicating member 11 and the annular lip 10g. By supporting the applicating member in various intermediate positions, the rate at which the containers contents are dispensed may be easily controlled and varied to suit the individual needs of the user. The knob 12b additionally is formed with a flat outer end surface 12e which may serve as a base upon which to support the device in an upright position when it is not being used.

An alternative form of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the necessity of providing ball supporting means within the interior of the container portion 20, as contrasted with the container portion 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, is eliminated by supporting the rotatable applicating member 11 upon the inner end, or ball supporting end 22a, of the stem 22b of the ball positioning member 22. As illustrated, the ball supporting end portion 22a is preferably shaped to conform to the surface. configuration of the applicator. Also, the

stem 22b is preferably provided with a radial external shoulder 22c, which limits the extent of withdrawal of the stem portion 22b from the container 20 by abutting against the rim of the annular boss 20a formed on the bottom interior surface of the container 20 and through which the stem 22b of the ball positioning member 22 is threadably journalled. Thus, the ball positioning member 22 when threaded into the boss 20a urges the applicating member into peripheral sealing contact with the dispensing end of the container, as at 20b, this latter sealing contact being indicated by broken lines in F164.

In the foregoing, two preferred embodiments of the invention herein have been described and illustrated in which the container portion 10 on 20 of the device is preferably fabricated from a resilient material such as.

polyethylene, or other similar materials having substantially comparable characteristics of pliancy, scalability and resiliency and in which the applicating member 11, or ball, as well as the positioning member 12 on 22, are fabricated from a substantially rigid plastic material, glass or metallic material. By virtue of the comparative characteristics of rigidity and flexibility of these component members of the device, a very effective seal may be obtained both between the applicating member 11 and the Wall of the socket 10c, and between the threaded stem portion 12a of the T-shaped shifting member 12 and the wall of the threaded bore 10m. However, it is to be understood that efiective seals at both of these locations may also be obtained by reversing the comparative characteristics of flexibility and rigidity of the component members. For example, a substantially rigid, container portion 10 in conjunction with a resiliently deformable applicating member 11 and shifting member 12 might be also utilized successfully in the practice ofthis invention.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that the dispensing and applicating device of the present invention incorporates features of simplicity of design and compactness which enhance the use of same as a traveling companion such as may be carried on or with the person of the user. Likewise, the device is capable of being easily molded by conventional molding techniques. Still further, the positioning member affords a means of quickly and conveniently opening and closing the device as well as a means for selectively controlling the rate at which the containers contents are applied. Also, the necessity of providing a closure or cap, which must be removed from the device each time it is used for applicating purposes, is eliminated since the seal between the wall of the socket and the applicating member, which results when the device is closed, is effective to prevent leakage, evaporation or other loss of the containers contents.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be modified through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A ball applicator package comprising in combination a container, an applicator ball and a ball positioning member as components thereof and wherein said components are fabricated from two types of material, said types of material being, respectively, a rigid material and a resiliently deformable material, and wherein said container is formed of one of said types of material and said ball and said ball positioning member are both formed from the other of said types of material, said container having a hollow interior portion and axially opposite wall openings communicating with said interior portion, one of said openings forming a dispensing opening and the other of said openings forming an access opening, said ball positioning member having an imperforate axial stem portion closing said access opening and being threadedly received in axial relationship therein for axial movement in frictional fluid-tight contact with the wall of said access opening, said stem portion having a ball shifting end disposed within said container and a manipulating end projecting externally from said container for threaded axial movement of said ball positioning member within said access opening, said manipulating end being shaped to form a base upon which to support said container, said hollow interior portion of said container including an applicator section and a fluid reservoir section, said applicator section being defined by an interior wall segment of said container and being shaped in the form of an annular socket converging at axially opposite ends to form said dispensing opening at one end and a restricted opening at the other end communicating with said fluid reservoir section, said applicator ball having a medial portion of larger size than said dispensing opening and said restricted opening and loosely confining said applicator ball in ball and socket relationship within said applicator section, said restricted opening being situated in alignment with and adapted to accommodate axial movements of said ball positioning member therethrough to axially shift said applicator ball within said socket, whereby rotational manipulation of the manipulating end of said ball positioning member efiects inward and outward movements of said stem portion which shifts said applicator ball Within said applicator section toward and away from said dispensing opening to selectively vary the size thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 392,046 Loud Oct. 30, 1888 2,521,038 Canaday Sept. 5, 1950 2,632,193 Gilchrist Mar. 24, 1953 2,797,685 Packwood July 2, 1957 2,823,403 Whitney Feb. 18, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 153,001 Germany July 5, 1904 19,028 Great Britain Aug. 24, 1911 559,188 Great Britain Feb. 8, 1944 584,734 Great Britain Jan. 22, 1947 970,519 France June 21, 1950 1,078,135 France May 5, 1954 

